Official Opening of Malmesbury Forensic Pathology Laboratory | Western Cape Government

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Official Opening of Malmesbury Forensic Pathology Laboratory

22 September 2011

The newly built Malmesbury Forensic Pathology Laboratory will be officially opened by the Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, on 23 September 2011. The new facility is on the premises of the Swartland Hospital in Malmesbury.

The services were previously rendered from a facility in Mooreesburg. The new Forensic Pathology Laboratory will offer a "fit for purpose" facility to the community, with a more spacious waiting area, improved storage facilities, a larger dissection area with upgraded technological equipment and private interview facilities to offer more privacy.

The facility will provide services to the greater Malmesbury and its surrounds, including Moorreesburg, Piketberg, Riebeeck-Kasteel, Riebeeck-West, Porterville, Yzerfontein, Darling, Redelinghuys and Koringberg communities.

The facility is in operation between 07:30 and 16:00 daily but the service will be available 24/7 as personnel will be available through on-call and standby duties. The after-hours telephone number is 078 175 3904.

The department would like to remind the public of the following should a family member pass away due to unnatural death:

  • Identification: A relative or friend must view the deceased to confirm his/her identity.
  • Documentation: A green bar-coded ID/passport/birth certificate/temporary permit for asylum seekers of the deceased will enable a relative to access and identify the body.
  • Sudden and unexpected death: Relative should bring all medical documentation/information or Road to Health chart (clinic card) regarding the deceased.

The physical address of the new laboratory is:

PG Nelson Street, Malmesbury
Tel: 022 482 2620
Fax: 022 482 2185
After-hours service: 078 175 3904

Issued by the Directorate: Communications for the Western Cape Department of Health.

Media Enquiries: 

Zolani Zenzile

Principal Communications Officer
Forensic Pathology Services
Tel: 021 928 1509
Cell: 078 519 3636
E-mail: Zzolani@pgwc.gov.za